Broome general practitioner recognised for innovative project on treatment of parasitic worms in Kimberley

A Broome general practitioner has been recognised for his outstanding community project to raise awareness about a parasite plaguing the Kimberley. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has announced the winners of its annual awards program for general practice, to recognise outstanding achievements and exceptional individuals for their contribution to rural general practice. Broome general practitioner Khean Shang “James” Wong was awarded the community project of the year award, for his innovative work on the treatment of parasitic worms in the Kimberley. Born in Malaysia, Dr Wong moved to Perth as a child, finished school and studied at the University of Western Australia, where he first got a feel for rural medicine after completing a regional internship. Completing his GP training in Broome at Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services, Dr Wong was inspired to get into general practice after he saw GPs work together to meet the needs of their community. It was after this Dr Wong decided to do his fellowship in advanced rural general practice with additional rural skills training in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, where he was heavily involved in providing care to communities in the Kimberley. Dr Wong said his experience at KAMS motivated him to work in Aboriginal health. “There was a strong group of doctors that championed GP education and gaining additional skills, they were very experienced and the work they were doing was meaningful and exciting,” he said. Through his career, Dr Wong has appreciated the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal cultures and said it had enabled him to gain perspective on his own culture, which is something he considered to be the best part about working in Aboriginal health. Dr Wong said his work had taught him to break down misconceptions about working with Aboriginal people. “I’ve learnt to really listen to my patients so I can understand what they need, I think this is a skill we need even more in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health,” he said. “Sometimes we think of Aboriginal people as one cohort, which is actually not the case. “Every time we visit a new community and get to know the people, we listen to their different stories, backgrounds, relationships and the way the community is structured; it’s quite interesting.” Dr Wong said the industry was supportive and there was a focus on building strong relationships. “The fun part about rural general practice is that you don’t do it all alone, you’ve got a team of nurse practitioners, nurses and especially the health workers, who are very in tune with what the community needs,” he said. Dr Wong said he was proud to receive the award and his project focused on healthcare improvement. “Parasitic worms may not be a popular topic, but it is a serious health issue in the Kimberley region, and anyone can get it,” he said. Dr Wong said he recognised part of the problem was a lack of community awareness about the condition. “There are simple steps people can take in terms of prevention and treatment, so I put together posters to help raise awareness across the region, as well as clear guidelines for managing parasites, which have been really useful for patients,” he said. RACGP rural chairman Michael Clements congratulated the winners for their hard work to care for communities across Australia. “Rural GPs could not be more deserving of the spotlight, they are essential for the health and well being of rural communities and are truly valued by their communities,” he said. Dr Clements said being a rural GP was a varied and rewarding career. “No one day is the same and you really get to know your patients and provide long-term holistic care, which general practice is all about,” he said.